What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Gibbet vs Gallows - What's the difference?

gibbet | gallows |

Gallows is a synonym of gibbet.



As nouns the difference between gibbet and gallows

is that gibbet is an upright post with a crosspiece used for execution and subsequent public display; a gallows while gallows is wooden framework on which persons are put to death by hanging.

As verbs the difference between gibbet and gallows

is that gibbet is to execute (someone), or display (a body), on a gibbet while gallows is third-person singular of gallow.

gibbet

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • An upright post with a crosspiece used for execution and subsequent public display; a gallows.
  • * {{quote-book
    • , year = 1728 , chapter = The Atheist, or, the Second Part of the Solider's Fortune , title = The Works of Mr. Thomas Otway , volume = 2 , first = Thomas , last = Otway , authorlink = Thomas Otway , location = London , page = 37 , url = http://books.google.com/books?id=yF1AAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA37 , passage = No, had every Commandment but a Gibbet belonging to it, I ?hould not have had four King's Evidences to-day ?wear impudently I was a Papi?t, when I was never at Ma?s yet ?ince I was born, nor indeed at any other Wor?hip the?e twenty Years. }}
  • The projecting arm of a crane, from which the load is suspended; the jib.

    • Synonyms

    * gallows

    Verb

  • To execute (someone), or display (a body), on a gibbet.
  • To expose (someone) to ridicule or scorn.

    • References

    gallows

    English

    (wikipedia gallows)

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) (m), (m), (m), (m), from (etyl) .

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • Wooden framework on which persons are put to death by hanging.
  • * {{quote-book
    • , year = 1728 , chapter = The Atheist, or, the Second Part of the Solider's Fortune , title = The Works of Mr. Thomas Otway , volume = 2 , first = Thomas , last = Otway , authorlink = Thomas Otway , location = London , page = 37 , url = http://books.google.com/books?id=yF1AAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA37 , passage = No, Sir, 'tis fear of Hanging. Who would not ?teal, or do Murder, every time his Fingers itch'd at it, were it not for fear of the Gallows ? }}
  • (colloquial, obsolete) A wretch who deserves to be hanged.
  • * 1590 , , V. ii. 12:
    • Ay, and a shrewd unhappy gallows too. / You'll ne'er be friends with him: a' kill'd your sister.
  • (printing, obsolete) The rest for the tympan when raised.
  • (colloquial, obsolete) suspenders; braces
    • Synonyms
    * gallows tree, gallow tree, hanging tree, gibbet
    Derived terms
    * gallows bird, gallows humor, gallous

    Etymology 2

    Verb

    (head)
  • (gallow)